Pakistan National Highways & Motorways Police

 Introduction

The National Highway & Motorway Police is an authority that ensures the implementation of road safety rules across all the motorways and highways in Pakistan to make these high-speed roads safer for all commuters. Pakistan’s network of motorways and highways connects the country’s southernmost regions of Gwadar and Karachi with those in the north, including the capital city of Islamabad and the densely populated Lahore, all the way up to Gilgit-Baltistan, where few people dare to venture out on the hilly roads in their private vehicles. Along with offering online guides for both practical and theoretical driving tests, the National Highways & Motorway Police also provides infographics, videos, driving tips, as well as detailed overviews of traffic rules and traffic signs that dot the motorways and highways in Pakistan. Educating people about road safety also means giving them complete and up-to-date information about all the traffic tickets, fines, and penalties applicable to individuals found breaking the law and putting their own as well as others’ lives at risk.

Highway Safety is one of the most important aspects of transportation engineering as traffic accidents are unavoidable in human life. Developing nations including Pakistan are faced with new dimension of highway safety challenges after the advent of motorways, safety management of motorways demand more meticulous addressal of safety issues due to involvement of high speed dynamics.

History

In the year 1997, the government of Pakistan do reform in the history of policing in Pakistan and a modern proficient and efficient police force were raised for the traffic management and order on the motorway. This emerging new force was a u-turn and a complete transformation of police culture, therefore the pleasant change in no time earned the respect and appreciation of the public. In the beginning there were no fresh recruitment and all the officers were taken from the police setups of different provinces, and were put under the training and motivational programs. All efforts were made to mould this force as true public servant. Another surprising change observed that those officers who were involved in corruption on the provinces, become noble, honest and efficient. It was thus concluded that through proper training, guidance, by providing compatible working conditions and taking care of some basic human needs, this miracle was possible. The government in recognition of excellent performance of Motorway Police, decided to expand its network to National Highways, which initially operated on the Peshawar-Karachi National Highway.

Today, by the grace of Allah, NH&MP is the only institution, whose efficiency is being praised by people from all walks of life. From the very outset, NH&MP has earned support and confidence of general public. Perhaps for the first time in the history of Pakistan, a police force is being lauded for its honesty, integrity, behavior, help and public service.

In the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) report for the year 2002, NH&MP was reported to be the only corruption free department in the country. The then Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Shaukat Aziz also declared this force as “The Island of Excellence”. Transparency International has included NH&MP among the corruption-free depart ments of the world. Now people are demanding that this department may be declared as a model and this experiment may also be replicated to other departments. Initially, the experiment has already been replicated in the shape of Islamabad Model City Traffic Police and Punjab Traffic Wardens, who have been trained by NH&MP.

The motorway police force In Pakistan is responsible for enforcement of traffic and safety laws, security and recovery on Pakistan’s National Highways and Motorway. If anyone brakes the rules, then motorway police can fine him. Motorway police use Suvs cars and heavy motorbike for pet rolling purpose and use speed cameras for speed limits. If there is accident happen on the motorway, the motorway police give the first aid to the person.

Success Story

Motorway police considered as a successful department in the country, because in a short life of 25 years, the motorway police established the good reputation in the country. Motorway police treat all the citizens equally regardless of their position in the society, and Motorway Police do not promote VIP culture in Pakistan. The citizens of Pakistan highly appreciate and recognize the motorway police, because of its efficiency and honesty. Motorway police help those who need help on the motorways. There has also been decrease of 70% in accidents over the last decade. Highway crime has also decreased. As a result of effective crime control, a large number of stolen vehicles have been recovered.

The National Highways and Motorways Police in Pakistan as institution enjoy the highest public ratio of confidence and respect. It has been included as the 13th corruption free department of the world. According to Transparency International in Pakistan, the Land Revenue Department is the most corrupt department, followed by Police and Judiciary. Although Police is considered to be the most corrupt and non-public friendly institution in Pakistan, but National Highways & Motorways Police has been ranked high among all 15 enforcement agencies being corruption free.

Written by Aqil Amin.